Merseyside's most senior police officer has hit back at comments made about the appearance of a detective leading the search for Nicola Bulley.
Daily Mail and S*n columnist Petronella Wyatt sparked backlash on Twitter after she criticised Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith for wearing a "sleeveless dress in February" to "showcase her toned physique."
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described the journalist's comments as "unpleasant" and "irrelevant" in the investigation for the missing mum. Det Supt Smith is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nicola Bulley who vanished in St Michaels on Wyre in Lancashire on January 27.
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Petronella Wyatt tweeted a photo on Saturday of Det Supt Smith at a press conference earlier this week, with the caption: "Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith seems to be using Nicola Bulley’s disappearance as a excuse to showcase her toned physique.
"Who wears a sleeveless dress in February? To those who say, does it matter what people wear to work? Yes, it does, when they are police officers."
Chief Constable Kennedy replied to the post: "On what level do you think that this is appropriate or newsworthy? I imagine that Rebecca’s priority is finding Nicola & supporting her family & friends - not listening to what the most of unpleasant & irrelevant comments like this."
It comes just days after Daily Mail columnist Amanda Platell also criticised Det Supt Smith for wearing a "skin tight navy dress" and "stilettos" at Wednesday's press conference.
Deputy Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, Lynne Owens, joined Chief Constable Kennedy to condemn Ms Wyatt's comments. She wrote: "You are the second female journalist to comment on the Senior Investigating Officer's appearance - I just don’t get it. The press have an important role in holding the police to account but surely the focus should all be on finding Nicola Bulley not this"
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